Steam Generator for Laundry Device

ABSTRACT

Disclosed is a steam generator, in which connection units are respectively formed on first and second cases. The connection units comprise connection pieces extended from the circumferential surface of the first case and connection pieces extended from the circumferential surface of the second case. Screw holes are respectively formed through the connection pieces so that the connection pieces of the first case and the connection pieces of the second case are connected using screws inserted into the screw holes. A sealing member is interposed between contact portions of the first case and the second case, thus maximizing contact between the first case and the second case. Thereby, since the, contact portions of first and second cases are smooth when the first case and the second case are connected to each other, the steam generator has a neat external appearance and does not require a separate process for smoothing the contact portions, thereby increasing in efficiency and productivity.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to a laundry device, and moreparticularly, to a connection structure for connecting and separatingtwo cases of a steam generator to and from each other.

BACKGROUND ART

Generally, a laundry device is a general term used for apparatuses forwashing clothing and bedding.

The laundry devices include a washing machine having only a washingfunction, a washing machine having washing and drying functions, and adrying machine having only a drying function.

The washing machines are divided into pulsator washing machines, inwhich laundry is washed using a water current generated by rotating aplate-shaped pulsator, and drum washing machines, in which laundry iswashed using a fall of washing water supplied to a horizontally-laiddrum and the laundry and friction therebetween caused by rotating thedrum.

Compared to the pulsator washing machine, the drum washing machineprevents the laundry from being entangled, and reduces the amounts ofthe washing water and a detergent used, thereby being increasingly usedthese days.

In order to more effectively wash the laundry, the drum washing machineperforms a soaking operation. In the soaking operation, a large amountof the washing water is consumed and a separate structure forsterilizing the laundry is not provided in the drum washing machine.

A recent drum washing machine, which has a heater for heating washingwater to perform a boiling operation, is proposed. However, the drumwashing machine requires excessively large amounts of the washing waterand electric power to perform the boiling operation, thus not beingpreferably used.

Hereinafter, with reference to FIG. 1, a drum washing machine having asteam generator to solve the problems of the above drum washing machinewill be described.

The drum washing machine comprises a cabinet 10 forming the externalappearance of the washing machine, a cylindrical tub 20 horizontallysupported in the cabinet 10 for storing washing machine, a drum 30rotatably installed in the tub 20, a driving motor (not shown) fordriving the drum 30, and at least one steam generator 40 for supplyingsteam to the inside of the drum 30.

A water supply valve 50 connected to an external water pipe forsupplying the washing water to the inside of the tub 20 is provided atone side of the drum washing machine.

The steam generator 40 is connected to the water supply valve 50, and aheater (not shown) is installed in the steam generator 40.

Water is supplied from the water supply valve 50 to the inside of thesteam generator 40, and a designated amount of the water is stored inthe steam generator 40.

The water, which is stored in the steam generator 40, is heated by theheater, and steam generated by boiling the water in the steam generator40 is supplied to the inside of the drum 30.

A steam supply pipe 6Q serving as a channel for guiding the steamgenerated from the steam generator 40 to the inside of the drum 30 isinstalled at one side of the steam generator 40.

Preferably, the tip of the steam supply pipe 60 has a nozzle shape sothat the steam generated from the steam generator 40 is smoothly sprayedto the inside of the drum 30.

The tip of the steam supply pipe 60 for spraying the steam is exposed tothe inside of the drum 30.

The steam generator 40 is installed above the tub 20 so that the steamgenerator 40 can be easily repaired and inspected.

Here, a case of the steam generator 40 for forming the externalappearance of the steam generator 40 is obtained by connecting upper andlower cases, which are respectively formed by injection molding.

The upper and lower cases of the steam generator 40 are connected bywelding.

Hereinafter, with reference to FIG. 2, the steam generator 40, the upperand lower cases of which are connected by welding, will be described.

The steam generator 40 comprises the upper case 41 and the lower case42.

A temperature sensor 44 for measuring the temperature of water stored inthe lower case 42, and a water level sensor 43 for measuring the levelof the water are installed on the upper case 41.

After the lower case 42 is covered by the upper case 41, the upper andlower cases 41 and 42 are connected by welding contact portions of theupper and lower cases 41 and 42.

The above-described conventional steam generator 40 has severalproblems, as follows.

First, burrs (A) are formed at the welded portions of the upper andlower cases 41 and 42 of the steam generator 40, thereby preventing thesteam generator 40 from having a smooth surface.

The burrs (A) are formed by the material of the upper and lower cases 41and 42, which melts during welding, and solidifies after the welding hasfinished.

Thereby, the steam generator 40 has a poor external appearance, andfurther requires a separate process for removing the burrs (A), therebygenerating a secondary problem, i.e., reduction of productivity.

Second, when the upper and lower cases 42 are separated from each otherso as to repair defected electric components provided in the steamgenerator 40, the steam generator 40 is inevitably damaged.

That is, since the upper and lower cases 41 and 42 are welded to eachother, in order to separate the upper and lower cases 41 and 42 fromeach other, large force is inevitably applied to the steam generator 40.

Thereby, the steam generator 40 is damaged, and the damaged steamgenerator 40 must be replaced with a new one, thereby increasing thecosts of the stems generator 40 and thus being uneconomic.

DISCLOSURE OF INVENTION Technical Problem

An object of the present invention devised to solve the problem lies ona steam generator, for a laundry device, having an improved connectionstructure, which does not cause steam leakage and water leakage withoutgenerating burrs on the circumferential surface of the steam generator.

Technical Solution

The object of the present invention can be achieved by providing a steamgenerator for a laundry device comprising a case forming a space forcontaining water, and comprising a first case and a second case, whichare connected to each other to form the external appearance of the steamgenerator; a heater installed in the case for heating the watercontained in the case; and a connection unit for connecting andseparating the first case and the second case to and from each other.

ADVANTAGEOUS EFFECTS

In the steam generator of the present invention, the first case and thesecond case are selectively connected to and separated from each other,thereby preventing the generation of burrs due to welding contactportions of the first and second cases.

Thereby, the steam generator has a neat external appearance and does notrequire a separate process for removing the burrs, thereby increasing inproductivity.

A sealing member is interposed between the contact portions of the firstcase and the second case, thus preventing steam, generated from thesteam generator, from leaking out, or water, stored in the steamgenerator, from leaking out.

A worker can selectively connect and separate the first case and thesecond case to and from each other, thus allowing easy repair ofdefected parts in the steam generator.

Thereby, it is possible to prevent the damage to the steam generatorgenerated when the first and second cases are separated from each other,thus not generating additional costs. That is, the steam generator ofthe present invention is economical.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The accompanying drawings, which are included to provide a furtherunderstanding of the invention, illustrate embodiments of the inventionand together with the description serve to explain the principle of theinvention.

In the drawings:

FIG. 1 is an exploded perspective view of a conventional drum washingmachine having a steam generator;

FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of the conventional steamgenerator;

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a steam generator in accordance with oneembodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 4 is a sectional view taken along the line I-I of FIG. 3; and

FIG. 5 is a sectional view of a steam generator in accordance withanother embodiment of the present invention.

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

Reference will now be made in detail to the preferred embodiments of thepresent invention, examples of which are illustrated in the accompanyingdrawings.

As shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, a steam generator 100 of one embodiment ofthe present invention comprises a case 101, a heater 102, a water levelsensor 103, a temperature sensor 104, and a sealing member 105.

A space for containing water is provided in the case 101, and the case101 includes a first case 101 a and a second case 101 b.

The connection of the first case 101 a and the second case 101 b may beperformed by various methods. This embodiment describes the mostpreferable method for connecting the first case 101 a and the secondcase 101 b.

The first case 101 a forms the upper portion of the steam generator 100,and has a lid shape for covering the second case 101 b.

A water supply hole 110 for supplying water from an external water pipeto the inside of the steam generator 100 is formed through one side ofthe first case 101 a.

A discharge hole 120 for discharging the steam generated from the insideof the steam generator 100 to the drum 30 (FIG. 1) is formed through theother side of the first case 101 a.

Preferably, the water supply hole 110 is formed toward the water pipe sothat the water is easily supplied from the water pipe.

Further, preferably, the discharge hole 120 is, formed toward the drum30 so that the steam is easily discharged to the inside of the drum 30.

The water level sensor 103 is installed on the first case 101 a.

The water level sensor 103 serves to sense the level of the watersupplied to the inside of the steam generator 100 through the watersupply hole 110.

That is, the water level sensor 103 is used to allow a proper amount ofwater to be always stored in the steam generator 100.

Further, the temperature sensor 104 is installed on the first case 101a.

The temperature sensor 104 serves to measure the temperature of thewater stored in the steam generator 100.

That is, when the heater 102 heats the water to generate steam, thetemperature sensor 104 maintains the optimum temperature of the water sothat the heater 102 is not unnecessarily overheated.

Connection pieces 106 a are formed along the circumferential surface ofthe lower end of the first case 101 a contacting the second case 101 b.

The connection pieces 106 a serve to connect the first case 101 a andthe second case 101 b to each other.

The connection pieces 106 a are horizontally extended outwardly from thecircumferential surface of the lower end of the first case 101 a.

Preferably, a plurality of the connection pieces 106 a, which areseparated from each other, are formed along the circumferential surfaceof the lower end of the first case 101 a. However, the connection pieces106 a may be integrated into one unit along the circumferential surfaceof the lower end of the first case 101 a.

A screw hole 107 is formed through each of the connection pieces 106 aso that a screw, such as a bolt, is inserted into the screw hole 107.

A receipt groove 108 is formed in the edge of the bottom surface of thefirst case 101 a contacting the second case 101 b so that the sealingmember 105 is received in the receipt groove 108.

The second case 101 b forms the lower portion of the steam generator100, and has a designated space therein.

The water supplied through the water supply hole 110 is contained in thespace of the second case 101 b.

Further, the heater 102 for heating the water is installed in the spaceof the second case 101 b.

Preferably, a sheath heater, which directly heats water under thecondition that the heater is completely immersed in the water, is usedas the heater 102.

Further, connection pieces 106 b, corresponding to the connection pieces106 a, are formed along the circumferential surface of the upper end ofthe second case 101 b contacting the first case 101 b.

The connection pieces 106 b also serve to connect the first case 101 aand the second case 101 b to each other.

The connection pieces 106 b are horizontally extended outwardly from thecircumferential surface of the upper end of the second case 101 b.

A screw hole 107, having the same shape of the screw hole 107 of each ofthe connection pieces 106 a, is formed through each of the connectionpieces 106 b.

A receipt groove 109, corresponding to the receipt groove 108 of thefirst case 101 a, is formed in the edge of the top surface of the secondcase 101 b contacting the first case 101 a so that the sealing member105 is received in the receipt groove 109.

The sealing member 105 serves to prevent the steam generated from thesteam generator 100 from leaking out, or to prevent the water stored inthe steam generator 100 from leaking out.

The sealing member 105 has the same shape as the cross section of thecase 101.

The sealing member 105 is interposed between the contact portions of thefirst case 101 a and the second case 101 b.

That is, the upper portion of the sealing member 105 is received in thereceipt groove 108 of the first case 101 a, and the lower portion of thesealing member 105 is received in the receipt groove 109 of the secondcase 101 b.

Preferably, the sealing member 105 is made of soft rubber so as tomaximize the contact with the first case 101 a and the second case 101b.

Further, preferably, the sealing member 105 has a designated thicknessin such a manner that the sealing member 105 can vertically separate thefirst and second case 101 a and 101 b from each other when the secondcase 101 b is covered with the first case 101 a under the condition thatthe sealing member 105 is received in the receipt groove 109 of thesecond case 101 b.

It maximizes the contact between the first case 101 a and the secondcase 101 b.

Hereinafter, a process for connecting the first case 101 a and thesecond case 101 b of the above steam generator 100 in accordance withone embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail.

First, the sealing member 105 received in the receipt groove 109 formedin the edge of the top surface of the second case 101 b.

Here, the sealing member 105 is partially exposed to the outside due tothe thickness of the sealing member 105.

Thereafter, the second case 101 b is covered with the first case 101 a,on which the water level sensor 103 and the temperature sensor 104 areinstalled.

Here, the connection pieces 106 a of the first case 101 a respectivelycorrespond to the connection pieces 106 b of the second case 101 b.

Then, the first case 101 a and the second case 101 b are verticallyseparated from each other due to the thickness of the sealing member105, thereby generating a gap having a designated height between thefirst case 101 a and the second case 101 b.

Thereafter, screws, such as bolts, are respectively inserted into thescrew holes 107 of the connection pieces 106 a of the first case 101 aand the screw holes 107 of the connection pieces 106 b of the secondcase 101 b, and are tightened.

Thereby, the gap between the lower end of the first case 101 a and theupper end of the second case 101 b is gradually narrowed by tighteningthe screws, and finally, the lower end of the first case 101 a contactsthe upper end of the second case 101 b.

The lower end of the first case 101 a and the upper end of the secondcase 101 b are pressed against the sealing member 105 by tightening thescrews.

Thereby, the first case 101 a and the second case 101 b are firmlyconnected, thus preventing the water, supplied to the case 101, fromleaking out, and the steam, generated by heating the water, from leakingout.

On the other hand, a process for separating the first case 101 a and thesecond case 101 b from each other is simply performed in the oppositeorder.

In this embodiment, the connection pieces 106 a of the first case 101 aand the connection pieces 106 b of the second case 101 b are connectedusing the screws.

Hereinafter, with reference to FIG. 5, a connection structure of a steamgenerator in accordance with another embodiment of the present inventionwill be described.

For the reference, parts of the steam generator of this embodiment aresubstantially the same as those in the earlier embodiment except forconnection units.

The parts of the steam generator of this embodiment, which aresubstantially the same as those in the earlier embodiment, are denotedby the same reference numerals even through they are depicted indifferent drawings, and a detailed description thereof will thus beomitted because it is considered to be unnecessary.

First, extension portions 130 a are horizontally extended outwardly fromthe circumferential surface of the lower end of the first case 101 aforming the upper portion of the steam generator.

Bending portions 130 b are bent downwardly from the ends of theextension portions 130 a, and hooks 130 c are bent vertically inwardlyfrom the ends of the bending portions 130 b.

Preferably, the hooks 130 c are made of a synthetic resin having highelasticity.

A plurality, of the connection units each of which has the extensionportion 130 a, the bending portion 130 b, and the hook 130 c, are formedalong the circumferential surface of the first case 101 a.

A protrusion 131, onto which the hooks 130 c of the first case 101 a arelatched, is formed on the circumferential surface of the upper end ofthe second case 101 b contacting the first case 101 a.

The protrusion 131 is horizontally extended outwardly from the upper endof the second case 101 b, and is formed along the circumferentialsurface of the second case 101 b.

The hooks 103 c of the steam generator 100 may be integrated into oneunit along the circumferential surface of the first case 101 a.

On the other hand, the protrusion 131 may be formed on the first case101 a, and the hooks 130 c may be formed on the second case 101 b.

Hereinafter, a process for connecting the first case 101 a and thesecond case 101 b of the above steam generator 100 in accordance withanother embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail.

First, in the same manner as the earlier embodiment, the sealing member105 is inserted into the receipt groove 109 of the second case 101 b andthe receipt groove 108 of the first case 101 a.

Thereafter, the second case 101 b is covered with the first case 101 a,on which the water level sensor 103 and the temperature sensor 104 areinstalled.

Simultaneously, the hooks 130 c formed on the first case 101 a arelatched onto the protrusion 131 of the second case 101 b, therebyconnecting the first case 101 a and the second case 101 b to each other.

Here, the lower end of the first case 101 a and the upper end of thesecond case 101 b are pressed against the sealing member 105 by latchingthe hooks 130 c onto the protrusion 131.

Since the hooks 130 c are made of a synthetic resin having highelasticity, the hooks 130 c are forcibly latched onto the protrusion 131by applying force having a designated intensity to the hooks 130 c.

Thereby, the connection of the first case 101 a and the second case 101b is completed.

On the other hand, a process for separating the first case 101 a and thesecond case 101 b from each other is simply performed in the oppositeorder.

The above-described embodiments of the present invention may be appliedto steam generators for laundry devices, including a washing machine anda drying machine.

INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY

The present invention provides a steam generator for a laundry device,in which contact portions of first and second cases are smooth when thefirst and second cases are connected to each other.

It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that variousmodifications and variations can be made in the present inventionwithout departing from the spirit or scope of the invention. Thus, it isintended that the present invention cover the modifications andvariations of this invention provided they come within the scope of theappended claims and their equivalents.

1. A steam generator for a laundry device comprising: a case forming aspace for containing water, and comprising a first case and a secondcase, which are connected to each other to form the external appearanceof the steam generator; a heater installed in the case for heating thewater contained in the case; and connection units for connecting andseparating the first case and the second case to and from each other. 2.The steam generator as set forth in claim 1, wherein the connectionunits comprise connection pieces extended from the circumferentialsurface of the first case and connection pieces extended from thecircumferential surface of the second case.
 3. The steam generator asset forth in claim 2, wherein a screw hole is formed through each of theconnection pieces.
 4. The steam generator as set forth in claim 2,wherein the connection pieces of the first case are integrated into oneunit along the circumferential surface of the first case, and theconnection pieces of the second case are integrated into one unit alongthe circumferential surface of the second case.
 5. The steam generatoras set forth in claim 2, wherein a plurality of the connection pieces ofthe first case are formed separately along the circumferential surfaceof the first case, and a plurality of the connection pieces of thesecond case are formed separately along the circumferential surface ofthe second case.
 6. The steam generator as set forth in claim 1, furthercomprising a sealing member interposed between contact portions of thefirst case and the second case.
 7. The steam generator as set forth inclaim 6, wherein receipt grooves for receiving the sealing member arerespectively formed in the contact portions of the first case and thesecond case.
 8. The steam generator as set forth in claim 7, wherein thefirst case and the second case are separated from each other when thesealing member is received in the receipt grooves.
 9. The steamgenerator as set forth in claim 1, wherein the connection units comprisehooks and a protrusion.
 10. The steam generator as set forth in claim 9,wherein the hooks are extended from the circumferential surface of thefirst case, and the protrusion is extended from the circumferentialsurface of the second case.
 11. The steam generator as set forth inclaim 10, wherein the hooks are integrated into one unit along thecircumferential surface of the first case.
 12. The steam generator asset forth in claim 10, wherein a plurality of the hooks are formedseparately along the circumferential surface of the first case.
 13. Thesteam generator as set forth in claim 9, wherein the hooks are extendedfrom the circumferential surface of the second case, and the protrusionis extended from the circumferential surface of the first case.
 14. Thesteam generator as set forth in claim 13, wherein the hooks areintegrated into one unit along the circumferential surface of the secondcase.
 15. The steam generator as set forth in claim 13, wherein aplurality of the hooks are formed separately along the circumferentialsurface of the second case.